Convocation: Graduates urged to become tax payers

Politicians at 9th convocation of UCP tell students to get jobs, pay taxes to help country once they graduate.

LAHORE: Fresh graduates should get jobs and pay taxes to help their country, politicians told the students at the 9th convocation of the University of Central Punjab (UCP) at Expo Centre on Tuesday.

No country can run without paying taxes, Fauzia Wahab, PPP information secretary told the graduating students. She said, “We should consider the poor a vital part of our society and we can help them by paying taxes. Over the last year we have faced the worst earthquakes, floods, terrorism, migrations and instability of society and politics. Standing here and looking at you, I do not see poverty. I see fresh minds that are going to rule tomorrow.”

Her address was followed by Governor Salmaan Taseer’s. He congratulated the students and said, “Women seem to have stolen the show again.  They have gained better grades than boys.”

The governor gave examples of world leaders in politics and technology to motivate the students.

“We are the bravest country.  We are a fighting nation and we have certainly proved it. You are privileged since you have availed the opportunity of education. Work hard as your test begins today.”

The students, however, were not all impressed by the speeches of the chief guests.

Ali Ikram, a graduating MBA student said, “Their speeches were totally irrelevant to the convocation. My family pays taxes. I wish to know more about my career prospects than who’s privileged and who’s not.”

Ghulam Dastageer, who topped the MBA results, said he wanted more than just a shield for his achievement. “I have topped my department and it has been more than two months and I have not been offered a job. It would have been great if the guests had talked about such concerns.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2010.